Geode style pearl and method of production

ABSTRACT

A geode style pearl for use as a decorative part of a jewelry item or on its own. The geode style pearl includes a pearl member having a pearl body formed from a conventional pearl and which has an exterior surface as well as an exposed interior surface, with the interior surface having decorative items such as gemstones or smaller pearl integrated thereon. The inclusion of such decorative items on the interior surface, which may include or embody a cavity, gives the pearl member a geode like appearance of a rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter. When used as a part of a jewelry item, a jewelry assembly is additionally attached to the pearl member so as to render it wearable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl earring built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a geode style pearl earring built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl pendant built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a geode style pearl as the center gemstone of a ring built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the process through which a geode style pearl is produced in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the process through which a geode style pearl is produced in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl pendant built in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a geode style pearl earring 100 is shown having a pearl member 110 in accordance with a first embodiment and an earring jewelry assembly 120. The pearl member 110 has a pearl body 111 which is formed from a part of a conventional pearl having an exterior surface and which has been divided to expose an interior surface. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the first embodiment, the pearl body 111 is formed from a conventional pearl which has divided along a plane which bisects the conventional pearl. It is appreciated, however, that the pearl body 111 may be formed from a conventional pearl which has divided along a plane which intersects the conventional pearl in another manner.

It is contemplated that the conventional pearl from which the pearl body 111 is formed may define a wild or a cultured pearl.

The exposed interior of the pearl body 111 includes a hollowed section 112 in which discrete decorative items 113 have been integrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the hollowed section defines a rim. The decorative items 113 typically define a single or plurality of discrete gemstones, pearls, or some combination thereof (or portions of the same). In the preferred embodiment, the decorative items 113 are integrated into the hollowed section 112 through a two part resin which adheres the decorative items 113 in a surface of the hollowed section 112. It is contemplated, however, that in other embodiments, other conventional adhesives may be employed. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the decorative items 113 define a plurality of one or more of gemstones and precious stones.

It is contemplated that hollowed section 112 may define either a crafted cavity which has been bored into or otherwise created on the interior surface of the pearl body 111 or an inherent cavity in a pearl which has been grown with a hollow interior (commonly referred to as a souffle pearl). In the illustrated embodiment, the hollowed section 112 defines a crafted cavity which is sized to substantially define the interior surface.

It is understood that in various embodiments, various styles of cultured pearls may be employed, including without limitation Tahitian, south sea, freshwater, saltwater pearls, and any other suitable method for pearl growth.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the earring jewelry assembly 120, which defines a finding 121 and an earring hook 122, is permanently attached the pearl member 110 by way of the finding 121 being mounted into a hole drilled into the exterior surface of the pearl body 111. It is appreciated, however, that the pearl member 110 may be availed with other styles of conventional findings and jewelry components when used to create other styles of jewelry, or may be availed without any attached findings and jewelry components.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a geode style pearl pendant 200 is shown having a pearl member 210 in accordance with a second embodiment and an pendant jewelry assembly 220. Similar to the pearl member of the first embodiment, the pearl member 210 has a pearl body 211 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface. In the Second embodiment, however, the pearl body 211 includes an opening section 212, defining at least a cavity which has been bored in the exterior surface of the pearl body 211. It is through the opening section 212 that an interior surface of the pearl body 211 is exposed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the opening section 212 is fashioned as an elongated cavity which is positioned on the left side of pearl body 211. It is appreciated, however, that the opening section 212 may be fashioned in any shape and positioned in one of a variety of positions on the pearl body 211 for a desired decorative effect.

As with the first embodiment, the conventional pearl from which the pearl body 211 is formed may define a wild or a cultured pearl. Moreover, it is contemplated that if a souffle pearl defines the pearl body 211, the opening section 212 is may be formed to reveal the hollow interior section (namely, the inherent cavity therein), in whole or in part, of the souffle pearl.

Integrated in the opening section 212 are discrete decorative items 213. As with the first embodiment, the decorative items 213 may define gemstones and/or pearls, and are preferably integrated into the opening Section 212 through a two part resin which adheres the decorative items 213 in a surface of the opening section 212. In FIG. 3, the decorative items 213 define a plurality of gemstones.

It is contemplated that in a third embodiment 400, a geode style pearl pendant defines a pearl member similar to the first and second embodiments in that it includes a pearl body 410 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface 411. In this third embodiment, preferably the pearl has been pierced all the way through, providing an aperture that extends all the way through the pearl 415, entering on one surface and exiting the opposite surface of the pearl, creating an aperture 415 extending out the far side of the pearl. This preferably allows a user to see through the pearl, looking through the cavity 412 and out the aperture 415 that extends through the pearl and out the opposite surface of the pearl. Similar to the other embodiments, discrete decorative items 413 are integrated in the aperture section, typically disposed on the interior edge 414. In a preferred variation, the interior edges of the aperture 414 can be set with one or more of gems, crystals, precious stones, and any other suitable form of decoration. This can preferably be included in a pendant jewelry assembly 420, with at least one of a chain and cord 422 looped through an attachment point 421 attached to exterior surface 411 of the pearl body 410.

Similar to the pearl member of the first embodiment, the pearl member 210 has a pearl body 211 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface. In the second embodiment, however, the pearl body 211 includes an opening section 212.

Illustrated in FIG. 3 is the pearl member 210 integrated with the pendant jewelry assembly 220. The pendant jewelry assembly 220, defining a finding 221 and a chain 222, is permanently attached the pearl member 210 by way of the finding 221 being mounted into a hole drilled into the exterior surface of the pearl body 211. Similar to the first embodiment, however, the pearl member 210 in accordance with the second embodiment may be availed with other styles of conventional findings and jewelry components when used to create other styles of jewelry, or may be availed without any attached findings and jewelry components.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a geode style pearl pendant 300 is shown having a pearl member 310 with a pearl body 311 and opening section 312 in accordance with a second embodiment and a ring jewelry assembly 320. Illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening section 312 is fashioned as a circular cavity which is centrally positioned in pearl body 311 and the decorative items 313 define seed pearls. Also illustrated is the pearl member 310 integrated with the ring jewelry assembly 320, which defines a conventional ring assembly having at least a mounting 321 and a hoop 322.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a process through which a geode style pearl is produced in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention begins with producing a sliced pearl part. To produce a sliced pearl part, a target pearl with an exposed exterior surface is first marked at the location where it should be cut. In the preferred embodiment, the target pearl is marked for slicing along an intersecting plane. Once the desired location is marked, the target pearl is sliced to form a pearl part for use in creating a geode style pearl. By slicing the pearl part, an interior surface is exposed. It is appreciated that slicing a target pearl may create a single usable sliced pearl part or two or more usable sliced pearl parts. Furthermore, some embodiments may define a sliced pearl part which has been sliced more than once.

It is contemplated that the slicing of the target pearl may be performed with a handsaw or band saw.

Once the sliced pearl part is produced, a pearl cavity is prepared. It is contemplated that for the first embodiment, a solid pearl (not a souffle pearl) is preferably employed. As such, provided the sliced pearl part was from a Solid pearl, the pearl cavity is prepared by boring a hole into the interior surface of the sliced pearl part to create a crafted cavity. In such an embodiment, the cavity will generally define essentially all of the interior surface, leaving only a rim surrounding the cavity. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the cavity a smaller portion of the interior surface.

The boring of the sliced pearl part is typically performed with ball burs using flexible shaft tool.

In alternate embodiments, it is appreciated that if the sliced pearl part was from a souffle pearl, removing any earth matter utilized in growing the souffle pearl (or other conventional material used to grow souffle pearls) is removed to reveal an inherent cavity. It is contemplated that the removal of conventional earth matter is commonly accomplished using hydrogen peroxide and water and ball burs with a flexible shaft tool. The removal of the earth matter may, however, be carried out in any suitable manner.

The preparation of the pearl cavity next requires that the interior surface (which, if the cavity defines substantially all of the interior surface, will be the cavity and the surface of the rim) of the slice pearl part be sanded, typically with one or more of 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, this surface are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once polished, excess buffer compound is washed and cleaned off from the interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl cavity.

Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode style pearl, the sliced pearl part with a pearl cavity is then prepared for jewelry use. The preparation for jewelry use is defined by drilling holes to mount findings into the sliced pearl part and then attaching desired findings (or other jewelry attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is understood that attaching the findings may be accomplished with a conventional adhesive.

Any desired cavity decorative items, such as gemstones or seed pearls, are then integrated onto the sliced pearl part. The integration of decorative items into the sliced pearl part begins with the application of a multi-part adhesive, defined in the preferred embodiment as a two part resin, onto the interior surface of the sliced pearl part. It is appreciated that while the multi-part adhesive may be applied anywhere on the revealed interior surface of the sliced pearl part where it is desired to attach decorative items, the multi-part adhesive is applied to the surface of the pearl cavity to create a geode style pearl in accordance with the present invention. Gemstones, pearls, or other decorative items are then added to the interior surface of the sliced pearl part where the multi-part adhesive was applied, and the multi-part adhesive is then allowed to cure for a predetermined curing time period. In one embodiment, the curing time period defines 24 hours.

Following the curing time period, the integration of decorative items into the sliced pearl part is then completed by cleaning off the excess multi-part adhesive. It is contemplated that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may be performed a conventional solvent. In Some embodiments, a solvent that includes methylene chloride, such as Attack® is employed.

Once the integration of decorative items is completed to form a pearl member in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, if desired, such a pearl member may be assembled into a particular type of jewelry.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a process through which a geode style pearl is produced in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the process for producing the same in accordance with the first embodiment. For the second embodiment, the process begins with producing a bored pearl. To produce a bored pearl, a target pearl is first marked to reflect the shape and location where an opening is desired. Once marked, a cavity is bored into the target pearl, typically performed with ball burs using flexible shaft tool. Then, if the target pearl was a souffle pearl and the cavity has been formed to be contiguous with the inherent cavity thereof, any earth matter in its interior utilized in forming the inherent cavity (as exposed by the cavity) is removed to reveal an inherent cavity. It is contemplated that the removal of conventional earth matter is commonly accomplished using hydrogen peroxide and water. The bored cavity along with any inherent cavity, together define the interior surface of the bored pearl.

Once a bored pearl is produced, the preparation of the interior surface begins with the sanding of the interior surface and the rim of the bored pearl, typically with one or more of 220, 320, 400, 600, and 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, these surfaces are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once polished, excess buffer compound is washed and clean off from the interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl cavity.

Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode style pearl, the bored pearl is then prepared for jewelry use. The preparation for jewelry use is defined by drilling holes to mount findings into to bored pearl and then attaching desired findings (or other jewelry attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is understood that attaching the findings may be accomplished with a conventional adhesive.

To integrate any desired cavity decorative items, such as gemstones or seed pearls, onto the interior surface of the bored pearl, a multi-part adhesive, defined in the preferred embodiment as a two part resin, is first applied onto the interior surface of the sliced pearl part. Gemstones, pearls, or other decorative items are then added to the interior surface where the multi-part adhesive was applied, and the multi-part adhesive is the allowed to cure for a predetermined curing time period. In one embodiment, the curing time period defines 24 hours.

Following the curing time period, the integration of decorative items into the bored pearl is then completed by cleaning off the excess multi-part adhesive. As with the first embodiment, it is contemplated that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may be performed a conventional solvent.

Once the integration of decorative items is completed to form a pearl member in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, if desired. Such a pearl member may be assembled into a particular type of jewelry.

The present invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing a geode style pearl having an appearance of a rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter, comprising the steps of: providing a target pearl having an exposed exterior surface, wherein the target pearl defines a conventional pearl; producing a sliced pearl part from the target pearl so as to expose an interior surface of the target pearl; preparing a pearl cavity in the interior surface of the sliced pearl part; and integrating decorative items with the interior surface of the sliced pearl part.
 2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of preparing the sliced pearl part for jewelry use.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of preparing the sliced pearl part for jewelry use includes forming at least one hole in the sliced pearl part and attaching at least one finding to the at least one hole.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of producing a sliced pearl part includes slicing the target pearl along an intersection plane.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of producing a sliced pearl part includes slicing the target pearl along a bisecting plane.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of preparing a pearl cavity includes boring a hole into the interior surface, sanding the interior surface, and polishing the interior surface.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the target pearl defines a souffle pearl and the step of preparing a pearl cavity includes removing material in an inherent cavity.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of integrating decorative items includes applying an adhesive on the interior surface, placing at least one decorative item on the applied adhesive, and providing for the curing of the adhesive.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of integrating decorative items defines permanently attaching at least one of a gemstone and a pearl to the interior surface.
 10. A method for producing a geode style pearl having an appearance of a rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter, comprising the steps of: providing a target pearl having an exposed exterior surface, wherein the target pearl defines a conventional pearl; producing a bored pearl from the target pearl, thereby exposing an interior surface of the target pearl; preparing the exposed interior surface of the bored pearl; and integrating decorative items into the interior surface of the bored pearl.
 11. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising the step of preparing the bored pearl for jewelry use.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of preparing the bored pearl for jewelry use includes forming at least one hole in the bored pearl and attaching at least one finding to the at least one hole.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of producing a bored pearl includes boring a cavity into the exterior surface.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the target pearl defines a souffle pearl; and the step of producing a bored pearl includes boring a cavity into the exterior surface such that the cavity becomes contiguous with an inherent cavity in the target pearl and removing material disposed in the inherent cavity.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of preparing the exposed interior surface includes sanding the interior surface and polishing the interior surface.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating decorative items includes applying an adhesive on the interior surface, placing at least one decorative item on the applied adhesive, and providing for the curing of the adhesive.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating decorative items defines permanently attaching at least one of a gemstone and a pearl to the interior surface.
 18. A geode style pearl, comprising: a pearl member having a pearl body formed from a conventional pearl, wherein said pearl body includes an exterior surface and a cavity; and at least two decorative items permanently attached in the cavity, wherein said cavity defines an opening section which has been created in the exterior surface after the growth of the pearl and before at least two decorative items are attached in the cavity.
 19. The geode style pearl of claim 18, wherein: said pearl body is formed from a conventional pearl which has divided along an intersecting plane, thereby revealing an interior surface along the plane; and said cavity defines a hollowed section sized to substantially define the interior surface.
 20. The geode style pearl of claim 18, wherein the cavity is adapted to extend through at least two external surfaces of the pearl such that it is possible to see all the way through the pearl, wherein the at least two decorative items are attached to the internal surface of the cavity. 